It’s the Feds; not us!

Both the efficiency and the refrigerant are changing.

		1. 10 SEER and 12 SEER condensing units are gone. Now, the minimum efficiency is 13 SEER. The Department of Energy air conditioning efficiency mandate link gives more details.

		2. R-22 (Freon) production is being decreased. R410a (Puron) will be the only residential refrigerant available. The EPA link will give the details of the Montreal Protocols regarding Freon.

With the federally mandated changes in both the efficiency of air conditioning systems and refrigerant; it is very easy to get lost in considering all aspects of the situation. Here are some scenarios and the consequences of short term decision making.

Ms. Smith in 2005 replaced her condensing unit with a R22 8 SEER unit. In 2007, her old evaporator coil sprung a refrigerant leak that could not be fixed. Ignoring the advice of her HVAC contractor, she finally found someone who would only replace the evaporator coil. However, he only could replace the old low efficiency coil with a moderately high efficiency coil. In 2008, her compressor was damaged by the higher efficiency evaporator coil and failed. She was shocked to find that the manufacture denied her warranty claim on the compressor because her system no longer was a matched system. So, she had to replace the condensing unit with a 13 SEER unit and stayed with R22. If her compressor failed in 2010: she would have to replace the condensing unit, evaporator coil and refrigerant.

Mr. Jones in 2004 had replaced his evaporator coil. In 2006, his condensing fan motor was replaced. In 2009, his compressor failed because of a leak in the condensing coil. He decided the old condensing unit needed to be replaced. He also had to replace the evaporator coil and change to 410A refrigerant.

Ms. Parks in 2008 replaced her compressor and due to a burn out replaced all the R22 within her system. In 2010, her evaporator coil starts leaking refrigerant. There were no R22 units available. She replaced the condensing unit, evaporator coil and convert to a 410A system, taking out the R22 within her system.

The New Rules

The condensing unit and evaporator coil must match in efficiency and size.
The condensing unit, evaporator coil and refrigerant must match. You can not mix refrigerants.
The diameter and condition of the existing R22 refrigerant lines will determine if the existing refrigerant lines can be flushed and re-used with 410A refrigerant.
You can mix brands of condensing units and evaporator coils.

Glossary:

Burn out: an electrical fire within the compressor that also burns the refrigerant. The compressor, refrigerant, refrigerant oil and line drier must be replaced and the lines flushed to protect the new compressor from any remaining burnt contaminants within the system.

Compressor: sits inside the condensing unit and pressurizes & circulates the refrigerant.

Condensing fan motor: sits inside the condensing unit and cools the house by moving the air pass the condensing coils and discharges the hot air.

Condensing unit: this is the outside unit and major component of your air conditioning system.

Evaporator coil: this is the second major component of your air conditioning system. It often is concealed within the duct work above, next to or under the furnace or fan cabinet. It cools and removes moisture from the house.

HVAC: Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning.

Refrigerant: can be either R22 (Freon™) or 410A (Puron™). They can not be mixed!

SEER: Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. Higher numbers are more efficient.

Two Stage Cooling: When temperatures outside are mild; only part of the compressor works so the system runs longer at comfortable inside temperatures and will remove more humidity. This gives great energy savings.

Federal Mandated Times and Changes

2004
Mandatory production reduction of 35% for R-22

2006
All manufactured air conditioning condensing units (outside unit) must be 13 SEER or greater

2010
All manufactured air conditioning systems must use 410A refrigerant

Mandatory production reduction of 65% for R-22

2015
Mandatory production reduction of 90% for R-22

2030
Mandatory production stop of R-22

Do you want your next refrigerant system to be R22?
If so, replace ASAP

If you want to be earth friendly –
Replace your air conditioning system with 410A
Go with a 16 or 18 SEER
Two stage condensing unit is more efficient

Web Sites
http://www.energy.gov/news/3097.htm
http://www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/phaseout/22phaseout.html

Cost of R-12 since the start of phase out:
Will R-22 follow in the same foot steps?

The Clock Is Ticking!

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